The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Having seen (and absolutely loved) the new movie "Stan & Ollie" last week, I decided to dig out my boxed set of restored Hal Roach Studio Laurel & Hardy comedies again. Watching "Busy Bodies" yesterday I was delighted by a sequence very early in the film which features a then-obsolete Zonophone serving as an entertainment device in their Model T.

Oliver asks Stan to "turn on the radio." Stan reaches for a piece of string tied to a nail, hanging out of the dash, and yanks on it. Music starts and they are delighted. But then the song ends. Ollie pulls over and stops the car, Stan hops out and opens the hood, and then proceeds to turn off the Zonophone, remove the disc, pick out another from a compartment just above the machine, and wind the machine. Once everything is closed up he gets back in the car, pulls on the string, and a closeup shows the off/on lever pulling back to start the record playing.

There are several L&H comedies that highlight Victrolas but this is the first I've noticed of a much earlier machine.

One more: "Unaccustomed As We Are," their first sound two-reeler, with their two most talented and beautiful co-stars: Thelma Todd and Mae Busch.

Mrs. Hardy is reaming out Ollie for bringing Stan home for dinner without telling her in advance. As she yells at him he turns on the Victrola to play a lively tune. In very short order Mrs. Hardy starts following the tempo of the music as she continues to berate him. A very funny scene! She finally realizes what's happening and immediately shuts off the record, and then breaks it over Ollie's head before storming out of the apartment.

Very interesting. I'm curious to know what Zonphone was used, because I noticed a U-Tube and goose neck fitting, in the fist picture. The last picture shows a Zonophone with the typical one piece arm without a goose neck fitting.
Harvey Kravitz

Phonofreak wrote:Very interesting. I'm curious to know what Zonphone was used, because I noticed a U-Tube and goose neck fitting, in the fist picture. The last picture shows a Zonophone with the typical one piece arm without a goose neck fitting.
Harvey Kravitz

I believe it's the same tone arm: you can just make out the other end of the u-tube at the top of the picture.

Bill

In the first picture, something about the tone-arm seems off. It does not seem to be tapered, nor is it straight and lastly it seems too long. This may have been a prop-house franken-phone.

TinfoilPhono wrote:One more: "Unaccustomed As We Are," their first sound two-reeler, with their two most talented and beautiful co-stars: Thelma Todd and Mae Busch.

Mrs. Hardy is reaming out Ollie for bringing Stan home for dinner without telling her in advance. As she yells at him he turns on the Victrola to play a lively tune. In very short order Mrs. Hardy starts following the tempo of the music as she continues to berate him. A very funny scene! She finally realizes what's happening and immediately shuts off the record, and then breaks it over Ollie's head before storming out of the apartment.

I have always wondered which model Victrola this is?

TinfoilPhono wrote:Having seen (and absolutely loved) the new movie "Stan & Ollie" last week, I decided to dig out my boxed set of restored Hal Roach Studio Laurel & Hardy comedies again. Watching "Busy Bodies" yesterday I was delighted by a sequence very early in the film which features a then-obsolete Zonophone serving as an entertainment device in their Model T.

Oliver asks Stan to "turn on the radio." Stan reaches for a piece of string tied to a nail, hanging out of the dash, and yanks on it. Music starts and they are delighted. But then the song ends. Ollie pulls over and stops the car, Stan hops out and opens the hood, and then proceeds to turn off the Zonophone, remove the disc, pick out another from a compartment just above the machine, and wind the machine. Once everything is closed up he gets back in the car, pulls on the string, and a closeup shows the off/on lever pulling back to start the record playing.

There are several L&H comedies that highlight Victrolas but this is the first I've noticed of a much earlier machine.

If I remember correctly, their short, “The Chimp” featured a portable phonograph.